The ultimate tribute: Iraq-hero Hall nominated for George Cross medal

A British security guard who died as he saved the lives of four colleagues in Iraq is to be recommended for Britain's highest civilian honour, the George Cross.

But the captives launched a daring escape attempt, with Simon heroically grabbing hold of the driver. Though he was shot in the head, his grip on the man was so tight it gave his colleagues the vital time they needed to get away.

Now the security firm that employed all five is to nominate Simon, 39, for the medal. Stephen Thomas, of Securiforce International, said: 'Simon's extremely brave actions undoubtedly led to the others getting away.

I am writing the citation and getting letters of support from people in Iraq who know what happened.

'I hope we may receive support from David Cameron as Simon lived in his constituency.'

The full details of the incident last November were revealed at Simon's inquest in Oxford last month. Mr Thomas told coroner Dr Richard Whittington that had Simon been in the Army he would have been awarded a Military Cross.

Mr Thomas said: 'We are looking at the George Cross. Simon was unarmed and working on humanitarian convoys to rebuild Iraq.'

Dr Whittington may support the recommendation. He said he was deeply moved by Simon's courage and told the court: 'He carried out an extraordinary act of bravery and deserves a medal.'

Simon had served in the Royal Artillery and was a veteran of the 1991 Gulf War. His group was abducted by insurgents on its way to deliver ambulances and forced at gunpoint into the rear cab of a pick-up truck, with Simon placed behind the driver, who was next to the commander.

Four men with automatic weapons were on guard in the rear of the truck and a second vehicle full of insurgents followed. During the journey the men were frequently hit and the Iraqi commander pointed his gun at their faces and made sawing motions across his throat. He screamed in Arabic and made it clear they were going to be murdered.

The insurgents kept firing their guns in excitement and struck the SFI men whenever they spoke. The group's only hope was to escape and they made their move when the second vehicle dropped back.

Two men attacked the commander as he leaned out of the window, singing and firing his gun. Simon then grabbed the driver's arms and forced them behind his back as the jeep came to a halt. Then the men grabbed their guards' weapons and turned them on their captors, but the guns initially misfired and Simon was shot.

The inquest was told all the survivors praised Simon's courage for acting when he knew that he had a gun pointed at his head. In the ensuing gunfight four insurgents were shot dead and all four of Simon's colleagues were wounded but managed to escape.

Simon's widow, Sarah, 45, of Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, welcomed news of the medal. She said: 'The bottom of my world dropped out when he died. The most important thing now is that his courage is recognised. He deserves it.'

Simon was stepfather to Sarah's children Alexander, 18, and Miranda, 15. She said: 'Simon was a complete one-off with a great sense of fun and adventure.'